There is nothing communal about the word 'Hindutva': Muralidhar Rao

Bhartiya Janata Party's (BJP) general secretary Muralidhar Rao has said that the words 'Bhartiyata' and 'Hindutva' are being used as synonyms since 1925 and there is nothing religious about it.

Speaking to ANI, Rao said, "Even the Supreme Court has said that Hinduism or Hindutva is a way of life. We do not use the word in a religious context."

He added, "People use 'Bharatiyata', 'Hindutva' and Indian- ness as synonyms according to their convenience. It is not right to see the usage of this word on communal lines. I don't think what said has anything communal about it."

When asked why the word 'Hindu' is raking up controversy, he said, "We in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have been using the words 'Bhartiyata' and 'Hindutva' as synonyms since 1925."

He further said, "It has become a big issue these days because a BJP-led government is there in the center. It is being seen from a wrong point of view".

Rao also said that the Congress should understand that raking up communal issues and doing vote bank politics will only weaken the integrity of the country and is not going to help them politically.

Earlier, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had said that India is a Hindu nation and Hindutva is its identity.